For the past few decades, one of the biggest debates in San Diego has been: “Where is the best place to live in the city?” One neighborhood, in particular, has been dominating this discussion: Hillcrest. With its unique culture, diverse population, and gorgeous Victorian homes, Hillcrest has it all. But as with any neighborhood with such a great reputation, it can get pretty packed. That’s why we’re here to help you make an informed decision. After reading this guide, you’ll know everything there is to know about living in the legendary Hillcrest neighborhood.
What is Hillcrest?
Hillcrest is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the city of San Diego. It’s bordered by the cities of San Bernardino on the south, Clairemont on the east, Mid-City on the north, and the community of University Heights on the west. Hillcrest is easily one of the most iconic and unique neighborhoods in all of San Diego.
Hillcrest is immediately east of Balboa Park. It’s made up of many of the most charming Victorians in the entire city, often with manicured front lawns and gardens. Some of the more famous Hillcrest Victorians include the Orange Street YMCA and the Hillcrest Mansions.
For starters, let’s get one thing straight: This is not a traditional “neighborhood.” Hillcrest is an enclave. It’s not part of any official city “district,” and it doesn’t have a councilman or mayor. As such, the boundaries of Hillcrest are loose and ill-defined. Still, we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least give this section its own definition, so here goes: Hillcrest is an eclectic mix of English pubs, Mexican taquerias, Central American supermarkets, and of course, beautiful Victorian homes.
Hillcrest is also home to a diverse population—one of the most diverse in all of San Diego. Latinos, blacks, Asians, and Native Americans all live here, making it a great place for people of all backgrounds to call home.
As with any urban neighborhood, there are parts of Hillcrest that are more prone to crime than others. The neighborhoods immediately north and south of Balboa Park are generally the most dangerous parts of Hillcrest. If you’re looking for a safe place to live, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.
One of the most frequent questions we get about Hillcrest concerns the area north of University Avenue. The answer is that while this part of Hillcrest is not as well-known as the area south of Balboa Park, it’s actually just as lovely. You’re likely to find just as many beautiful Victorians here, if not more.
We get this question a lot, and honestly, we don’t have an easy answer. Hillcrest is a neighborhood with a lot of great attributes. If you’re looking for a truly unique place to call home, you couldn’t ask for much more than the charming community of Hillcrest. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more traditional “neighborhood” experience, you may want to look somewhere else. Hillcrest is more akin to a collection of Victorians than a true neighborhood, and as such, it doesn’t have the infrastructure you might expect in a city this size.
Bottom line
In short, Hillcrest is an amazing place to call home. There may be other neighborhoods in San Diego that are more “populated” or “traffic-clogged,” but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more unique or charming place to call home. If you’re looking for the best place to live in San Diego, look no further than this iconic neighborhood.
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